Look for warm, earthy, sophisticated colors to dominate interior design next year.
By NKBA Staff
Eleven major paint companies, plus international color arbiter Pantone, have spoken.
The paint companies’ 2026 colors of the year reveal a march toward warm, nature-inspired colors. Neutrals still play a role, but are complemented by bold, saturated tones. Landscapes and quaint stone architecture have influenced the top color choices for the year ahead, with greens in the starring role. Browns — from dark espresso to redwood — creamy neutrals, and pale yellows serve as supporting players. They align with the NKBA’s 2026 Kitchen Design Trends research, which cites greens, blues, and browns as the predominant kitchen tones for next year.
Pantone, however, selected a calming white hue that sets the stage for creativity, allowing all other colors to stand out.
The message for 2026 is that color is definitely back, and it’s being used to create tranquil spaces or bold statements. Here, the experts weigh in.
Pantone: Cloud Dancer. This serene, billowy white is a key structural color and “serves as a symbol of color calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection.”
Benjamin Moore: Silhouette. A rich brown reminiscent of tailored suiting, this elegant color weaves deep espresso hues with refined notes of charcoal.
Glidden: Warm Mahogany. This rich, grounded red with a hint of brown is a nod to nature, bold yet timeless.
Sherwin-Williams: Universal Khaki. An easygoing neutral that pulls together any room. It’s a warm, earthy tone evocative of a safari landscape.
Behr: Hidden Gem. Tying into the trend for natural greens, this smoky jade is rich and sophisticated, making a dramatic statement.
Valspar: Warm Eucalyptus. As its name implies, this grayish green is naturally restorative and serene, creating a tranquil yet stylish environment.
PPG: Warm Mahogany. Another vote for this cozy, burnished red-brown that provides a focal point in any space.
Dunn-Edwards: Midnight Garden. A deep, muted green with earthy undertones that capture nature’s quiet elegance of a garden bathed in moonlight.
Dutch Boy: Melodious Ivory. This creamy shade adds warmth and a nostalgic, elevated vibe, perfect for showcasing handmade pieces and bold layers. A timeless but deliberate neutral that serves as an ideal backdrop for bold accents.
C2: Epernay. Named after the charming French village, this pale, sophisticated yellow channels the warmth of sunlit stone, the muted richness of vintage textiles, and the opulence of Champagne.
Graham & Brown: Divine Damson. Another saturated, warm color, this opulent shade is inspired by the lush tones of ripe damson plums and figs, with hints of mulberry and garnet.
Farrow & Ball: Naperon. This peachy terracotta is a familiar, warm clay that creates a cozy, welcoming space with a vintage vibe, grounded in earthy red undertones.
